String dispenser for dispensing string wound on a hollow core

ABSTRACT

A string dispenser for dispensing string from a spool comprising a hollow core, the string dispenser includes a base plate formed with a recess in an upper surface of the base plate for receiving a lower end of the hollow core. The base plate is also formed with a hole that opens at an upper end in the recess and at a lower end at a lower surface of the base plate. An end of a length of string wound on the core can be threaded downward through the hollow core and through the hole in the base plate. The string dispenser also includes a cover for covering the spool of string positioned with the lower end of its hollow core in the recess. The cover has a rim for engaging a formation at the upper surface of the base plate. A retention device is provided to retain the cover in position relative to the base plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/696,606 filed Sep. 4, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application relates to a string dispenser for dispensing string wound on a hollow tubular core

String is widely used in retail butcher shops and other retail meat operations for tying cuts of meat in order to prepare them for sale. Conventionally, the string is stored on a spool comprising a hollow tubular core and a length of string is unwound from the spool, cut off from the string remaining on the spool, and then used for tying a cut of meat. Various mechanisms are used for holding the core, with the unused string wound thereon, but generally these mechanisms do not effectively protect the string from contamination by blood, meat and other materials. Using contaminated string in direct contact with meat may violate both safety and sanitation regulations and ultimately affect sales and profits. If the meat tie string is easily accessible, it will be easier for the food preparation worker to prepare a meat item for sale and accordingly more selections will be available and items may sell more rapidly. A customer is more likely to buy a meat item that is tied with clean, white string than one that is tied with string that is blood stained or otherwise unsightly, for example due to dark spots, mold or bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with subject matter disclosed herein there is provided a string dispenser for dispensing string from a spool comprising a hollow core, the string dispenser including a base plate formed with a recess in an upper surface thereof for receiving a lower end of the hollow core and with a hole that opens at an upper end in the recess and at a lower end at a lower surface of the base plate, whereby an end of a length of string wound on the core can be threaded downward through the hollow core and through the hole in the base plate, a cover for covering the spool of string having the lower end of its hollow core in the recess, the cover having a rim for engaging the base plate, and a retention device that retains the cover in position relative to the base plate, and wherein the base plate has at least one formation at its upper surface for engaging the rim of the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a string dispenser mounted to a support post,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the string dispenser taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the string dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The string dispenser shown in the drawings is used to dispense string from a spool that comprises a hollow, conical cardboard core 10 (FIG. 2) having a plastic sleeve or cap 14 fitted tightly in its narrow end. String 18 is wound on the cardboard core. The string has an inner and an outer end. The inner end is cut off. The string is unwound from the core by pulling upward on the outer end of the string, in the direction from the wider end of the core to the narrower end of the core.

The inner periphery of the plastic sleeve 14 is radiused at the upper end of the sleeve, which allows a spindle to be inserted readily into the sleeve to support the core during winding of the string onto the core.

The core extends downward somewhat beyond the string wound on the core.

Referring to FIG. 3, the string dispenser comprises a circular base plate 22 formed with a central hole 26 and with a central circular recess 30 in its upper surface. The central hole 26 thus opens at the top into the recess 30 and at the bottom to the underside of the circular plate 22. The lower periphery of the hole is radiused (FIG. 2). At its outer periphery, the circular base plate 22 has a peripheral rabbet 34. Just inward of the rabbet, the plate 22 has two through holes for receiving bolts 38 for attaching the plate to a clamping bracket 40 or other mechanism for securing the plate to a support. The plate should be made of a material that is dimensionally stable and resists scratching and attack from cleaning and washdown materials. The configuration of the plate should avoid pockets that might harbor contaminants. The plate may be made of aluminum and may have a hard anodized finish to provide the aluminum plate with a finish that resists scratching and is easy to clean.

The dispenser also comprises a generally cylindrical cap or cover 42. The cover has a peripheral wall 46, which may taper slightly to facilitate nesting, and is closed at the top by a top wall 50.

The lower end of the peripheral wall provides a rim or lip 54. Slightly above the rim, the cap has two diametrically opposed projecting ears 58 each formed with a slot 62.

In use of the string dispenser, the base plate 22 is attached to a vertical post or column by means of the clamping bracket 40 and the bolts 38 threading the holes in the base plate and engaging holes in the clamping bracket. The column to which the bracket is attached is typically the leg of a cutting table and the bracket 40 is positioned so that the dispenser is beneath the surface of the cutting table. Other bracket configurations are possible, allowing attachment of the base plate to supports other than vertical posts.

A spool wound with string, as shown in FIG. 2, is placed on the support plate with the lower end of the core fitted in the recess 30. The recess may permit a small degree of horizontal movement of the lower end of the core in the recess, or the lower end of the core may be a snug fit in the recess, such that friction between the plate and the core resists movement of the core relative to the plate.

The free end of the string is threaded downward through the sleeve 14 at the upper end of the core and is threaded downward through the hole 26 in the plate. The cover 42 is then fitted over the spool of string and the rim 54 of the cover engages the rabbet 34 of the base plate, thus preventing horizontal movement of the cover relative to the base plate. The cover is releasably held in position by an elastic band 74 that engages the ears 58 of the cover and passes beneath the base plate. The band may be a buna-nitrile rubber O-ring. The string is run through the slot 62 in one of the ears, the slots being positioned inward of the band 74 so that the band does not interfere with free movement of the string through the selected slot. The string is then run to the edge of the cutting table and the free end of the string is retained in a convenient gripping area. By providing the rabbet 34, the rim of the cover 42 is placed lower than the top surface of the plate and there is accordingly provided a barrier to penetration of water or other washdown liquid into the interior of the string dispenser during normal washing operations. This avoids the need for a rubber seal between the plate and the cover, which may require a channel in the plate to receive the seal and thereby provide a haven for contaminants.

Because the buna-nitrile rubber O-ring is away from the string path, contamination of the O-ring does not impair the cleanliness of the string. In any event, the O-ring can be easily washed and is inexpensive to replace. For these reasons, the buna-nitrile rubber O-ring is an expedient choice for a retention device to retain the cover in position. Other types of retention devices could, however, be used.

When the user pulls on the free end of the string, the string unwinds readily from the spool. Because the string extends downwardly through the sleeve 14, the interior of the core 10 and the hole 26 in the base plate, tension in the string tends to hold the spool seated in the recess. The radius at the upper end of the sleeve 14 and the lower periphery of the hole 26 prevent snagging of the string and possible damage to the string as it is pulled from the spool.

In use, the food preparation worker grasps the free end of the string, pulls it from the gripping area, and pulls out sufficient string for the task at hand. The worker cuts off the desired length of string and returns the new free end to the gripping area. The cover protects the string that remains on the spool from contamination. If some of the string outside of the dispenser should be contaminated, it can easily be cut off and discarded, leaving fresh, clean string available for use.

Proper cleaning of a meat preparation area may entail hosing down surfaces that might have become contaminated. The cover 42 essentially prevents water from entering the interior space of the dispenser. Should a small quantity of water enter through the hole 26 due to splashing from other surfaces the lower end of the core, being seated in the recess 30, retains the water in the recess 30 and limits the possibility of the spool of string being contaminated.

The string dispenser provides an enclosure that substantially prevents penetration of contaminants and washdown liquids that may impair the appearance or cleanliness of the string wound on the spool without use of a rubber seal.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, as interpreted in accordance with principles of prevailing law, including the doctrine of equivalents or any other principle that enlarges the enforceable scope of a claim beyond its literal scope. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated. The word “comprise” or a derivative thereof, when used in a claim, is used in a nonexclusive sense that is not intended to exclude the presence of other elements or steps in a claimed structure or method. 

1. A string dispenser for dispensing string from a spool comprising a hollow core, the string dispenser including: a base plate formed with a recess in an upper surface thereof for receiving a lower end of the hollow core and with a hole that opens at an upper end in the recess and at a lower end at a lower surface of the base plate, whereby an end of a length of string wound on the core can be threaded downward through the hollow core and through the hole in the base plate, a cover for covering the spool of string having the lower end of its hollow core in the recess, the cover having a rim for engaging the base plate, and a retention device that retains the cover in position relative to the base plate, and wherein the base plate has at least one formation at its upper surface for engaging the rim of the cover.
 2. A string dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said formation at the upper surface of the base plate is an annular rabbet extending around an upper periphery of the base plate for receiving the rim of the cover.
 3. A string dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a peripheral wall, a top, and two retainer elements projecting from the peripheral wall at opposite sides thereof, and the retention device comprises a band that engages the retainer elements and extends under the base plate. 